The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LOBI STARS

  • Lobi Stars hit Ijebu Ode Monday

    Lobi Stars hit Ijebu Ode Monday

    Players and officials of Lobi Stars will travel to Ijebu Ode on Monday for their pre-season camping.

    The team’s Manager Barnabas Imenger told SportingLife that the Makurdi based outfit will participate in the Gold Cup tournament during their stay in Ijebu-Ode.

    It is understood that the team is currently camping in Gboko and they have played four warm-up matches winning all.

    Imenger also disclosed that the coach Godwin Uwa tutored-side will take on a Nationwide League side at the Aper Aku stadium on Saturday.

    “We are negotiating with Supreme Court of Abuja or any Nationwide team. We want our new players to get used to the stadium. On Sunday, we are having a dedication service in Makurdi and from there proceeding to Ijebu Ode to participate in the Gold Cup tournament,” Imenger told SportingLife.

  • Don’t give Lobi Stars’ chairmanship to outsider

    Don’t give Lobi Stars’ chairmanship to outsider

    Coach Justin Tenger has advised the Benue State government to look inward to select a new chairman for Lobi Stars Football Club .

    Tenger, who was a captain of the team for six years before he retired from active football after he sustained an injury in the game against Rangers International of Enugu in Kano in 1986, cried out in respect of the caliber of people that are aspiring to be the chairman of the club.

    The Benue State-born tactician has been the technical adviser of the team on several occasions. He came back to save Lobi Stars from relegation last season when he re-joined the team  mid-season.

    Tenger also led Lobi Stars to the final of this year’s Federation Cup which they lost to Akwa United 2-1 in Lagos last month.

    SportingLife understands that many people have signified interest in succeeding the club’s Vice-Chairman Dominic Iorfa after the 2014/2015 season.

    Tenger told SportingLife in a telephone interview that only the former player of the club or someone associating with the club can handle the team successfully.

    “There are lots of talks about Lobi Stars’ chairmanship position. There are mistakes a lot of people are making in Lobi Stars. I am speaking in my capacity as the technical adviser of Lobi Stars as at the end of last season and in my capacity as the first captain of what metamorphosised into Lobi Stars today, which was known as Hawks of Makurdi. I was captain of this club for six years and it was from this team I sustained an injury against Rangers in Kano in 1986 and I stopped playing football.

    “I want to make it clear for all those  that are running around Benue State and want to be chairman of Lobi Stars. I know a chairman is on ground now which is Dominic Iorfa but if he is making ways for another person to come in, then the state government should start looking for people who played for Lobi Stars or Hawks of Makurdi. That is what we the stakeholders are saying,” Tenger said to SportingLife.

    “At least I have handled 13 out of 20 premier league clubs in Nigeria and the way the clubs are run, most of the chairmen of the clubs are those that have played in the club before or at least someone  associated with the club.

    “I am talking in my capacity as  captain of the team for six years. If the government and people of Benue have respect for me as their own son who has gone out for about 25 years campaigning outside Benue as the technical adviser of 13 out of 20 premier league clubs in the country. Let them listen to what I am telling them now.

    “We don’t want anybody to come in from nowhere and ask for the chairmanship of Lobi Stars even if Iorfa is not going to be there. I am not saying we have sent Iorfa off but if the government is bringing in someone else it must be psomeone who played for Hawks of Makurdi or Lobi Stars and has a passion to run the club with love and faith. Not just an ordinary person.

    “Even I learnt that farmers are eyeing the position too. Up till now we hear about 100 people  looking for the chairmanship position of Lobi Stars. Where do they come from and what is their profile with Lobi Stars,” Tenger asked.

  • Akwa Utd, Lobi Stars confident

    Akwa Utd, Lobi Stars confident

    Akwa United football club have been given an executive order by the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, to do everything possible, to bring the Federation Cup trophy home, when they face Lobi Stars on Sunday in the final of the event at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    The Governor did not mince words when he expressly ordered the players of the club to go to Lagos and beat Lobi Stars in the finals of the 2015 tournament, as he hosted the players to a breakfast meeting on Wednesday at the Government house, in Uyo.

    “I am coming for the game against Lobi Stars in Lagos. I want you to go and bring back the trophy. The state is waiting patiently for the trophy. I know you have a good team that can make all of us in Akwa Ibom smile. This is the first time a club from the state will qualify for the final of the Federation Cup and I want you to make it count this time,” Udom said.

    Meanwhile, Lobi Stars Captain, Terna Ikpeen has also assured their fans that the team will beat Akwa United when they clash.

    Ikpeen insists that they have a better team and will emerge Champions of the competition this year.

    “We have a good team. We are ready for this match. We have prepared for the game, and we are going to triumph on Sunday. The motivation is there for us and everything is set for us to become champions.”

  • Lobi Stars dent Wolves title chase

    Lobi Stars dent Wolves title chase

    Lobi Stars have dented the title chase of Warri Wolves after they pipped them 1-0 in a rescheduled Nigeria league game on Thursday.

    Wolves have now slipped to third on the table with 59 points from 35 games, six points adrift of leaders Enyimba.

    Lobi have 43 points from 35 games.

    Anthony Agbaji scored from the penalty spot in the third minute after referee spotted an infringement in Wolves’ box for the only goal of the game.

    In the 15th minute, Abdulrahman Bashir failed to double Lobi’s lead after he fired off target from an open chance.

    In the 33rd minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Oke Ogagatewho was sent off for a foul.

    Wolves thought they had restored parity in the 88th minute, but Etebor Oghenekaro’s strike off a rebound was ruled offside.

  • 3SC hold Lobi Stars in Markurdi

    3SC hold Lobi Stars in Markurdi

    • Players to get double away allowance

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan proved a hard nut to be cracked at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday when they held Lobi Stars to a goalless draw in a week 31 Glo Premier League.

    It was a tough game for the Oluyole Warriors who played with a man down after Babatunde Bright was red carded after colliding with Lobi Stars defender Anthony Agbaji in the 49th minute.

    3SC’s goalkeeper Danladi Isah was the man of the match following his outstanding performances during the match.

    Interestingly, 3SC’s away record against Lobi Stars in the last three seasons have been fruitful, in 2012/13 season Shooting Stars picked a point in Katsina Ala.

    The motivation of the club’s General Manager, Rashidi Balogun also did the magic. It was gathered that he hosted the players during the Ileya celebration and approved a special bonus if they win.

    In a chat with SportingLife, 3SC’s media officer, Jubril Arowolo praised his boys for their fighting spirit during the match.

    Arowolo confirmed that the players will receive double allowances for the draw against Lobi Stars.

    “It’s was a tough game and playing a man down made it tougher. Babatunde Bright received a red card after colliding with a defender,” Arowolo told SportingLife.

    “Our boys played for themselves even after the card. They gave it all and I am happy our attitude gave us a vital point despite the desperation of the home team to win. Honestly, we should not take it away from them. We expected their response and thank God we were lucky to survive. We prepared hard for this game and the point was precious,” he said.

  • Okonkwo eyes win at Lobi Stars

    Okonkwo eyes win at Lobi Stars

    FC IfeanyiUbah right back, Chibuzor Okonkwo is positive his side will not comeback empty-handed from the tough league clash at the 2015 Federation Cup finalists, Lobi Stars.

    The newcomers will be the guests of the Pride of Benue in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 25 clash on Sunday at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

    Okonkwo said the Nnewi outfit match day 23 clash away win at Enugu Rangers is the tonic to go for repeat performance at Lobi Stars.

    “Nobody gave us any chance at Enugu Rangers but we shamed our doubters with a hard fought 3-2 win in Enugu.

    “Right now the momentum is quite high for Lobi Stars coming on the heels of their successful Federation Cup semifinals victory against Enugu Rangers.

    “Naturally, Lobi Stars will come out tough at least to convince their supporters that the Cup win against Rangers was not a fluke but deserved.

    “However, we have quality bench in the persons of John Obuh, Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmi as well as key experienced players going for us at the moment.

    “We are certain to get something decent and positive at Lobi Stars no matter how hard the home side turn out to be.

    “Rangers’ treat may not be too far away for Lobi Stars as we are determined not to leave Makurdi tie empty-handed.

    “We need all the points we can lay our hands on right now to further improve on our position on the league log,” said the former Enugu Rangers strongman to supersport.com.

    FC Ifeanyiubah are 10th on the top flight log on 32 points from possible 72 though with a home match at hand against Federation Cup finalists, Akwa United in Nnewi.

  • Rangers eliminated from Federation Cup

    Rangers eliminated from Federation Cup

    Five-time champions, Enugu Rangers’ hope of winning a first title in 31 years ended on Wednesday after losing 0-1 to Lobi Stars in the Federation Cup semi final played in Katsina.

    The Flying Antelopes could not stop the “Makurdi Bombers” who will now face Akwa United in the August 30 final in Lagos, Goal reports.

    The game played at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina put an end to Rangers’ aspiration who last won the tournament in 1984 when it was still known as the Challenge Cup.

    While Enugu fans lick their wounds and wait for the good times to return, Akwa United will go into the final hoping to win its first title after dispatching Nasarawa United 1-0 in Abeokuta courtesy of Udoh Aniekpemo’s strike.

    The women’s final will be contested by Sunshine Queens and Bayelsa Queens.

  • Lobi Stars favoured in Cup victory

    Lobi Stars favoured in Cup victory

    Lobi Stars captain and centre-back Anthony Agbaji has said his side were divinely favoured to win the Federation Cup semifinals match-up against Enugu Rangers.

    The two-time Cup winners pied the Coal City side 1-0 in Wednesday’s Cup semifinals clash at the Karkanda Stadium in Katsina.

    Striker Eche Idakwo scored the match winner that handed the Pride of Benue the Cup final ticket.

    Agbaji said the encounter almost degenerated into a tug of war but that his side were resolute to emerge victorious.

    “I strongly believed we were favoured to win the Cup semifinals clash against Enugu Rangers.

    “Enugu Rangers proved bookmakers right that they are a force to be reckoned with in the round leather game on the home front.

    “The match almost turned out to be a tug of war but we were not ready to give up the challenge.

    “Excitement has enveloped the entire camp because of this singular victory and qualification to the Cup final,” said the Lobi Stars strongman to supersport.com.

    Agbaji said his side are coming into the final with a resolve to make up for the not too impressive performance in the top flight.

    “We are not satisfied with our league performances so we are coming to the Cup final to raise our game with the singular aim of winning the title.

    “We want to use the Cup final to prove to our doubters that we can win big competitions,” said Agbaji.

    The Makurdi outfit will square up against Akwa United in the final expected to be held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos tentatively fixed for Sunday, August 30.

  • Lobi Stars were unlucky – Imenger

    Lobi Stars were unlucky – Imenger

    Lobi Stars Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger said ill-luck affected his side during their goalless draw against El-Kanemi Warriors in the week 8 Glo Premier League tie at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday.

    Lobi Stars are yet to win a game this season but Imenger told SportingLife that his boys had an improved game against the visitors but failed to convert their scoring chances.

    The ex-international said the management is not happy with the outcome of the game but still praised the boys for their efforts.

    Imenger added that the management will continue working hard until they get the results.

    He praised the fighting spirit of El kanemi during the match.

    “We had an improved game today against El Kanemi warriors. We dominated possession and lost a penalty. We created eight clear chances but failed to get a breakthrough. We are not happy but kudos to the boys. They did their best, fought like Trojans. The credit must also go to El-Kanemi for their fighting spirits. We will continue working hard and having faith in God for a turning point,” Imenger told SportingLife.

  • Dolphins, Lobi Stars rustle Garden City

    Dolphins, Lobi Stars rustle Garden City

    The clash between Port Harcourt side, Dolphins and Lobi Stars of Makurdi at Garden City is one of the headline matches of Week 7 of this year’s Glo Premier League, coming up on Sunday.

    Leaders Heartland FC, who regained their top position after beating Kano Pillars 1-0 in a rescheduled game in Owerri on Thursday, are again at home, this time to Sunshine Stars of Akure.

    Giwa FC, second with Enyimba on 11 points, are also at home, to Bayelsa United of Yenagoa, while two –time African champions Enyimba visit Gabros International in Nnewi.

    FC Taraba will be away to Sharks FC in Port Harcourt, and El-Kanemi Warriors are at home to Akwa United from Uyo.

    Enugu Rangers are also on the road, as guests to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi, while Nasarawa United host ambitious Abia Warriors in Lafia and Kwara United and Kano Pillars will go to battle at the Ilorin Sports Complex.

    Shooting Stars and Kano Pillars will  play their resceduled match on May 6 in Ibadan.